There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith. — Coach John Wooden
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 (DAY 367)
After traveling more than 1,505km (935 miles) over four days we finally arrive in the Peruvian capital of Lima just after 4am. Since neither of us have had a decent night’s sleep in almost 96-hours we decide to get a hotel, which is a wise choice. First, it was cheap and had the most comfortable bed that feels like it was hand-stitched by Angels and filled with clouds. Second, we had a bathtub. Yes, an actual bathtub, which is an enormous luxury. After long hot showers, I think my previous shower was in Cali, Colombia about four-days prior; we filled the tub and tossed in our laundry. Call it hobo washing or whatever you’d like, but this is one of those sides of backpacking that makes us desperate innovators or just plain desperate people for clean clothes.
After traveling more than 1,505km (935 miles) over four days we finally arrive in the Peruvian capital of Lima just after 4am. Since neither of us have had a decent night’s sleep in almost 96-hours we decide to get a hotel, which is a wise choice. First, it was cheap and had the most comfortable bed that feels like it was hand-stitched by Angels and filled with clouds. Second, we had a bathtub. Yes, an actual bathtub, which is an enormous luxury. After long hot showers, I think my previous shower was in Cali, Colombia about four-days prior; we filled the tub and tossed in our laundry. Call it hobo washing or whatever you’d like, but this is one of those sides of backpacking that makes us desperate innovators or just plain desperate people for clean clothes.
Later in the afternoon, we decide to move to The Point Hostel, recommended by my friend Jeff, that I met through a travel forum almost two-years ago and helped assist me with extended travel since he’s far beyond a veteran backpacker being on the road for almost a decade. We also shared many of the same situations as he worked as an engineer for several years in Pennsylvania before quitting his job to travel the world. I always told him that if we ever had a chance to meet up in person that I would certainly be grateful to buy him a beer. Tonight just happened to be an opportunity that put us not just in the same continent or country, but also within the same neighborhood of a city with a population of over 7.6 million inhabitants. Jeff arrived around 8pm, if I remember correctly, and we ended up talking for a solid three-hours about a variety of topics. It was one of those surreal moments that made me understand even more so the sort of unspoken backpacker code of doing whatever we can to help one another out–whether that be advice, a listening ear, some spare money, or even just a hug. Even after Jeff left I rejoined the social group that was already an international mixer. What a first night in Lima, and tomorrow we had Cusco and Machu Picchu to start looking forward too.
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